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Retailing

Retailing
Latest news and features on retailing with a particular focus on Hong Kong, mainland China and Asia, covering consumer goods and services, retail strategies, shopping habits, sales results and trends.
Customers leave a Bakehouse shop in Causeway Bay with their purchases on July 26, 2025. Photo: Antony Dickson
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Invest in Hong Kong’s creativity and local brands to unlock soft power

Hong Kong is blessed with ambitious, creative local brands. Investing in them will help set the city apart from other shopping destinations.

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China consumption

‘People are more cautious’: has China lost its appetite for shopping festivals?

China’s private sector

Can Pop Mart sustain the Labubu juggernaut as China sales cool?

China’s private sector

Global brands in China seek local partners amid market squeeze

Slower consumer spending and cutthroat competition are pushing global brands such as Pizza Hut and Starbucks to reshape their China business.

A Pizza Hut restaurant in Jinan, Shandong province. Photo: Handout
China-France relations

China’s Shein to be ousted from Paris store after other brands flee

New BHV Marais owners say Chinese fast-fashion heavyweight should leave by Christmas after brands pulled out in protest.

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China’s private sector

Yum China rolls out the dough for mainland’s Pizza Huts in US$1.2b deal

Though the acquisition would mean full ownership of the restaurant brand in mainland China, the company’s stock price fell after the announcement.

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United States

What foreign brands still win over Chinese shoppers?

Localised strategies and high-quality reputations help products from Japan, Switzerland, South Korea and the US build consumer affinity.

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Japanese brand Meiji grew its market share in China last year thanks to a reputation for quality, according to market research. Photo: Shutterstock
China consumption

China’s retail sales fall for first time since Covid

A decline in retail sales in May and weakening investments stand in contrast to China’s booming exports.

China consumption

China credit data shows demand dip, household deleveraging amid weak investment

But while traditional industries are mired in a downturn, hi-tech firms look to expand – many through direct financing.

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Fashion

Gildo Zegna on the past and future of his family’s menswear label – interview

His priorities now include growing markets like the US and Middle East, and promoting deeper engagement through initiatives like the roving private members’ club Villa Zegna.

From left: Angelo Zegna, Gildo Zegna, Gianluca Tagliabue and Edoardo Zegna. Photo: Handout
China consumption

China summons executives of Walmart-owned Sam’s Club over ‘food-safety issues’

Members-only supermarket chain urged to ‘strictly fulfil’ its corporate responsibilities.

A Sam’s Club store in Shanghai. Photo: Shutterstock
China’s private sector

Natural diamond firms turn to blockchain traceability amid lab-grown competition

The Gemological Institute of America is set to acquire a stake in Tracr, which has developed a blockchain platform to trace diamond origin.

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Luxury travel

The creative’s guide to Austin, the coolest city in the US

Matthew McConaughey, Elon Musk and Joe Rogan are among those who live in this city renowned for its barbecue, cowboy boots and home-grown brands like Kendra Scott.

China inflation

China’s consumer prices see May uptick as oil shock inflates factory-gate costs

The mild increase in consumer inflation, attributed to higher AI demand and global price fluctuations, fell short of market expectations.

A man purchases groceries at a shop in Shanghai. Photo: EPA
Mergers & Acquisitions

China’s fast-changing consumers force MNCs to adapt via local alliances

General Mills and Mölnlycke follow Starbucks, Burger King in forging partnerships to better tap local market insights.

People buy coffee at a mobile Starbucks set up next to a historic building in Beijing on January 30, 2025. Photo: AFP
China property

Park life: why China’s malls are building forests, waterfalls and sky walkways

Developers are getting creative as they try to entice China’s shoppers, who increasingly demand novelty and lush green space.

Hong Kong property

Why Hong Kong’s lofty wealth status matters to high-end malls

Positive trend comes from a surge in affluent spending, with new flagship projects reinforcing the city’s role as a global brand magnet.

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Travel news and advice

5 hot places and happenings to check out this summer

Explore Versace at a Paris museum, view Arthur Elgort’s photos in Los Angeles, shop at Selfridges, relax at Sant Roch sauna, and peruse The Mark Hotel’s new book.

Visit The Beverley Hills Hotel this summer to see an exhibition of works by celebrated fashion photographer Arthur Elgort. Photo: Handout
Middle East

Asia-Pacific to lead global retail sales, weather Middle East conflict

The region is projected to contribute to two-thirds of global new retail sales over the next five years, fuelled by e-commerce.

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | For airport city to take off, Hong Kong must learn from 11 Skies failure

When the market the project was designed for has largely disappeared, the more useful question is whether it can adapt.

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Icons and Influencers

‘Spray 100 times’: inside TikTok’s wild new world of men’s fragrance

From OverSpray Jay’s 100-spritz rule to the rise of dupes, a new generation of obsessive male shoppers is reshaping a multibillion-dollar industry.

TikTok has been experiencing a far faster growth in male fragrance influencers compared with female ones. Photo: May Tse
Architecture and design

Marcel Wanders: from knotted chairs to Moooi’s new Shanghai showroom – interview

The Dutch designer champions fun over mere functionality as he introduces the Moooi brand to China and aims to explore cultural individuality.

Marcel Wanders believes that design is not about how well a product functions – it’s about culture, creating something unique and not following other people’s rules. Photo: Handout
China’s private sector

The big scoop: lemon tea chain to revamp Haagen-Dazs’ struggling China business

General Mills is offloading the ice cream brand’s mainland China stores, as foreign businesses revamp models amid heated domestic competition.

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Style Edit

Style Edit: Hublot unveils new boutique at The Venetian Macao

To mark the occasion, Hublot is also introducing the Big Bang Ceramic Carbon timepiece – exclusively available in Greater China.

China property

Food Republic joins wave of foreign brands retreating in China

Singaporean operator leaves capital after 25 years as food court model loses favour amid rise of food delivery, shopping-mall evolution.

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Following the Beijing closure, only four Food Republics will remain in China, all in Shanghai. Photo: Handout
China’s private sector

A new battlefront for KFC and its Chinese rivals: the lighter meal

Big-name fast-food chains are seeking to capitalise on a surge in demand in China for lighter meals.

A drink and several meals from KPRO’s menu. Photo: Handout
Japan

Founder of Japan’s 7-Eleven chain Toshifumi Suzuki dies aged 93

The ‘father of the convenience store’ was the first to come up with the idea of selling onigiri at 7-Eleven outlets.

Banking & finance

Millions of Chinese consumers ditch their credit cards amid weak retail spending

Banks report there are 120 million fewer active credit cards in China with 687 million customer accounts, a dramatic drop from 2022’s peak.

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